Wrong-Way Driver Causes Triple-Fatal Wreck On 101 Freeway In Ventura

VENTURA (CBSLA.com) – Two men, a woman and a dog were killed when a car traveling the wrong way on Highway 101 at speeds of close to 100 miles per hour collided head-on with an oncoming car in Ventura at about midnight Wednesday, authorities said.

The crash occurred at 12:01 a.m. Thursday in the southbound lanes of the 101 Freeway, just north of State Route 126.

According to California Highway Patrol, a CHP officer witnessed a 2008 Toyota Scion drive the wrong way onto Highway 101 south at Oxnard Boulevard.

The officer called for more units and jumped onto Highway 101 north, trying to keep pace with the Scion as is it traveled north in the southbound lanes. However, before he could get help, the Scion collided head-on with a 2011 Nissan Versa that was going south.

The driver and sole occupant of the Scion, a 34-year-old Santa Paula man, died at the scene. The two occupants of the Versa, a 25-year-old male driver and a 28-year-old female passenger, both from Lake Elsinore, died at the scene as well. A dog also died in the crash.

The freeway was partially closed for several hours, but has since been reopened.

The names of the victims were not immediately released. The cause of the crash is under investigation.